Nonrefiijung device fob liquid



y 1934- J. c. DUNHAMQ 1,960,532

NONREFILLING DEVICE FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 16. 193] 7 I 4 A a 5 1 f 9 Y i; E ///////X 7 w 29 QHI II .v, .1. 6,0101 ham ATTO RN EYJ Patented May 29, 1934 UITED STATES PATENT FFICE NONREFILLING DEVICE FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS Fla.

Application October 16,

11 Claims.

My invention relates to liquid containers, such as oil barrels, wherein it is desired to provide a closure which will permit the contents of the container to be freely withdrawn and yet which will prevent the container being refilled, thereby eliminating the danger of substitution of inferior goods or the dilution or other alteration of its original contents.

One object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described which is suitable for use with a suction pump or discharge connection and which, as the contents are withdrawn from the container, will allow only a volume of replacement air to enter the container sufiicient to compensate for the liquid withdrawn and thus I prevent the container being refilled or its contents diluted through the air vent, because if the vent area is correctly proportioned, when it is attempted to introduce any other liquid along with the air with the idea of refilling the container from an outside source through the air vent while the liquid is being withdrawn by suction from the container, such liquid will restrict the size of the air vent, throttling its air inlet capacity and causing a partial vacuum to be set up in the container which might damage or disrupt it and which would promptly cause the spring-pressed liquid outlet valve to become balanced and to close.

It is contemplated that my device will serve as a closure for the filled container, that is to say it will be permanently attached, after the container has been filled, by welding or other suitable means so that its removal can be readily de- 5 tected.

A further object of my invention is to provide a non-refilling device in the form of a valve body having a suction connection opening outwardly and an intake extension to the bottom of the container, with an interposed valve means controlling both the exit of liquid and the entrance through an air vent of replacement air.

My invention further contemplates mechanically coupled valves or preferably a compound valve which will control the flow of both liquid and air thus insuring their proper coordination at all times.

My invention is further distinguished by the fact that the air vent opens in a protected manner through the outer end of the valve body where it will not be obstructed by the suction connection.

My invention further comprises a device in the form of a screw plug adapted to be welded in place in the container, the plug having a springed to receive the normal solid plug or closure.

1931, Serial No. 569,147

pressed check valve for sealing the container against the outflow of liquid until subjected to suction, the valve preferably having a stem to guide it and serve as its control valve for opening and closing the air vent.

My invention further comprises the novel details of construction and arrangements of parts, which, in their preferred embodiment only, are illustrated in the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this invention, and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through my non-refilling device shown mounted in a metal oil barrel and welded in position, the pipe connections to the valve body being shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a detail view through the valve body taken at right angles to Fig. 1 with the pump connection removed;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line IVIV of Fig. 1.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, I have shown the device associated with a suitable liquid container such as a metal oil barrel 5 having the usual threaded bushing 6 welded or otherwise secured thereto and internally thread- It will be understood however that my invention is applicable to various types of containers and I do not limit myself to its use as a closure for oil barrels.

In its preferred form the device is a valve body in the form of a plug 7 having. its upper end externally threaded at 8 so that it can be screwed into the bushing 6 after the container has been filled and can be permanently secured in position by any suitable means, such as a welded joint 9.

As is seen more clearly in Fig. 2, the plug has the bore 10 in its outer end internally threaded for the reception of a pump connection 11, or other suction discharge pipe. The outer end of the bore 10 has formed therein a countersunk annular groove 12 overhung by an annular lip or flange 13 in diameter appreciablygreater than the connection 11. This affords an annular clearance between the parts 11 and 13 through which air may freely enter the groove 12 while at the same time but little dust or foreign matter is liable to gain access to said groove.

From the groove 12 the air flows through a plurality of small radial downwardly inclined ports 14 into a cross duct 15 which intersects a longitudinal duct 16 leading through the plug body and intersecting a cross duct 1'? extending through the plug diametrically in a cross web of spider 19 (Fig. 4) and having a reduced central passage 18.

A pocket 16a is provided below the air passageways 16 and 17 to collect any dust or dirt which might pass down the passageway 16.

The spider 19 is bored axially to form a guide 20 for the stem 21 of a fluid check valve 22 mounted within the valve body and normally held by a spring 23 against a seat 24. The valve opens into an enlarged chamber 25 which is closed overhead by a ported guard 26 which can be of frangible material or of very hard steel or the like which, having been permanently mounted at the inner end of the bore 10, cannot be removed or access had therethrough to tamper with the valve. A series of radial discharge passages 2'7 lead upwardly at an incline towards and open in a common central outlet.

The valve stem 21 has a reduced portion 28 which registers with and opens the air vent passage 18 only when the valve 22 is opened. The stem closes said vent passage when the valve closes.

At its inner end the bore of the plug is threaded at 29 to receive a suction pipe 30, which may be of metal or any other suitable material and which in ordinary practice will extend into a shallow well, not shown, in the bottom of the oil barrel.

It will be noted that the valve 22 must rise above the partition in which its seat is formed before any appreciable quantity of liquid can pass it and when the valve has thus moved its stem will bring its reduced portion 28 in line with the air vent 18, thereby opening the vent. This arrangement will allow air to enter freely even when liquid is being withdrawn at a very slow rate from the container, and the vent will remain fully open for free air inflow when the valve 22 has fully opened and a rapid withdrawal of liquid is taking place.

In shipping it will be understood that the pump connection 11 is removed from the valve body and any ordinary liquid tight plug or cap is screwed in its place to close the outer end of the bore 10 and prevent any possible leakage that might occur past the air vent 14. The check valve spring 23 will have sufiicient strength to resist the head of liquid in the container and prevent leakage when turned upside down.

The cross sectional area of the air vent passage throughout its length is carefully regulated with relation to the cross sectional area of the fluid outflow passages so that just sufiicient air can enter the container through the vent port as is needed to replace the volume of the outflowing liquid. This relation between the liquid outlet and the air vent is always permanently and positively maintained by causing the air vent valve to be opened and closed by direct mechanical connection with the main liquid check valve.

It is a further advantage that the check valve shall be located between the connection to the pump and the air vent as thereby it will cut off the head of the fluid normally left in the outlet connection 11 and prevent any tendency of the same to leak past the air vent valve and make its escape through the air vent. Thus I provide a double valve against the leakage of fluid from the pump connection outwardly through the air vent.

The valve guard 26 is preferably given a taper fit and is fixedly mounted in the valve body so that one cannot with instruments gain access to the check valve 22 to interfere with its operation.

By bringing the air vent ports to the top of the valve body and causing them to open into the guarded countersunk groove 12, they are safely protected from probable access of dust and dirt and this especially true when the pump connection 11 is in place. If desired, of course any additional guard or coverage may be applied to prevent access of dust or water to the head 5 of the container.

In operation, having filled the container with, let us say, oil, the body 7 is screwed into the bushing 6, leaving its outer end projecting slightly above the latter and a weld is then applied to prevent the removal of the plug from the container. Having removed the shipping plug normally screwed into the outer bore 10 of the valve body, the apparatus is made use of as follows.

The pump connection 11 is screwed into place and when suction is applied it acts through ports 27 to create a vacuum in chamber 25 sufiicient to lift the valve 22 from its seat and raise it up into the chamber 25. When this occurs the valve stem rises with the valve as it opens and soon the reduced portion thereof comes into register with the air vent passage 18, thus opening it so that as fluid is drawn up through the suction connection 30 and passes about the spider 19 and through the valve seat and chamber 23 and through ports 27 to the pump connection 11, replacement air can enter between the lip 13 and connection 11 into the groove 12 and flow through ports 14, 15, 16 and 17 and past 28 through 18 into the container to replace the liquid withdrawn. The size of the air vent is such that no appreciable excess of air can enter beyond that proportionately required to replace the liquid withdrawn. It thus follows that if it be attempted to introduce any foreign liquid through the air vent the area of the latter will be reduced, the ratio of air inflow will fall below that of liquid outflow and the pump would promptly impose a strong suction or vacuum on the container which 120 would soon damage or disrupt it but for the fact that the valve 22 will become balanced and its spring will close it and with it the air vent. I thus prevent the dilution of the original contents of the container and make impossible the re- 125 placement of the contents with any substituted liquid.

A weld may be applied with comparative safety to the valve body when it is immersed in oil or other liquid that will keep it cool.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, 135 that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. A non-refilling closure for fluid containers comprising a valve body having a bore intersected by a spider at its inner end and by a valve seat at an intermediate point, a spring-pressed check valve normally held against said seat to close it, an outer guard for said valve, a stem on the valve, and a guide for said stern in said spider, there being an air vent opening inwardly through the valve body and laterally through the spider in the fluid container, Said stem being adapted to 150 close said vent when the check valve is seated and to open it with the opening of the check valve.

2. A non-refilling device for liquid containers, comprising a valve body having an outlet passage for the liquid, a check valve in said passage adapted to control the outflow of liquid and to prevent the inflow of liquid, and an air vent having means to open and close it responsive to the opening and closing of said check valve, said air vent having the capacity to permit an inflow of air at a rate in close approximation to that necessary to replace the normal outflow of liquid responsive to suction applied to the outer end of said liquid outlet passage.

3. A non-refilling device for liquid containers, comprising a valve body having a passage therethrough for the discharge of liquid, a check valve adapted to control the outflow of liquid and to prevent the inflow of liquid, a suction connection to said device responsive to which said check valve opens, a guard protecting the check valve from tampering, there being an air vent opening through said valve body into the container, and a valve closure for said air vent operable responsive to the check valve, said check valve being adapted to protect said air vent closure from the head of liquid standing above the check valve in the suction connection.

4. A non-refilling device for a liquid container, comprising a screw plug externally threaded and having an internal bore for the outflow of liquid, the outer end of the bore being threaded to receive a suction connection, there being an air vent opening to the atmosphere and leading inwardly through the plug body so as to open into the container, and coacting valves for simultaneously opening and closing said bore and air vent, and a guard to protect the valve in the bore from tampering.

5. A device according to claim 4, in which the air vent opens at its outer end between the plug body and the suction connection.

6. A device according to claim 4, in which the air vent opens at its outer end into a cross bore having a plurality of inwardly opening ports entering an annular recess surrounding the outer end of the bore in the valve body, said outer end leaving a restricted clearance between it and the suction connection for the ingress of air into said groove.

7. The combination with a metallic oil barrel having a permanently attached threaded bushing, of a non-refilling plug adapted to be screwed into said bushing, a welded joint connecting said plug to the bushing, a bore through the plug for the outflow of oil having an outwardly opening spring-pressed check valve, a valve guard seated in the outer end of said bore, means to couple a suction connection to the outer end of said passage, there being an air vent opening inwardly through the plug and leading across the bore therein, a valve closure for said air vent, and means to open and close said vent with the opening and closing of said check valve.

8. A non-refilling closure for fluid containers, comprising a valve body, means defining a fluid outlet passageway in said body, means defining an air inlet passageway in said body, and coordinated means interposed in both of said passageways and movable contemporaneously to obstruct both under normal conditions and to open both responsive to suction applied to the fluid outlet.

9. A non-refilling closure for fluid containers, comprising a Valve body having an air inlet duct and a fluid outlet duct, and a compound valve, comprising elements normally disposed to close both ducts, operable responsive to the application of suction to said outlet duct simultaneously to open both ducts and upon release of the suction pressure simultaneously to close said ducts. 105

10. A non-refilling closure for fiuid containers, according to claim 9, in which the springmeans act on the compound valve to insure the positive closure of the air inlet duct responsive to the reduction in the suction on said outlet duct.

11. In a non-refillable liquid container having a restricted air inlet port and a relatively larger fluid outlet port, co-ordinated valve means to insure the simultaneously opening and closing of said ports, said valves being adapted to open the 115 ports responsive to a reduction in pressure without the container due to the application of suction to the fluid outlet, said air inlet port being of such size relative to the fluid outlet that restriction of its cross sectional area responsive to any 120 attempt to introduce fluid therethrough with the entering air will create a reduction in pressure within the container responsive to which the valve means will automatically close both ports.

JULIUS C. DUNHAM. 

